Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI.--APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION. No one acquainted with history is likely to deny that the Christian Church, in a condition more or less pure, has existed in the world since the great Pentecost recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and that one generation of Christian ministers has succeeded another since the fishermen of Galilee became "fishers of men." It is no less true that every generation of ministers has, with few exceptions, been formally invested with office by others who held the office before them. It is alike scriptural and becoming, that those about to take upon them the important charge of feeding the flock and of watching for the souls of men, should be duly and publicly set apart to office by those who have authority to do so. The rite of ordination is still maintained in every important section of the Church visible, many thinking it right to conform to the precedent presented in Scripture, and some thinking that without it the continued existence of the Church could not be maintained. It is natural in itself, as well as desirable for other reasons, that those who themselves teach what is right and true should be satisfied that the same sound principles are held by their successors, and that they should communicate to them that public designation and sanction which they themselves derived from their predecessors. But the most solemn appointment derived from human hands does not enable a minister to dispense with that inward call which comes from God. Church officers, whose one object is to perform the duties of their office and to be useful, will not, so far as the manner of appointment is concerned, trouble themselves with more than this, that they have received the inward call, and have been set apart to office in...